Historically, Chenin Blanc was most famously produced in the Loire Valley. However, there is a valid argument that many of its expressions from South Africa are comparable to their French counterparts. The grape is also a favorite in California, where it has been grown for many generations. Chenin Blanc is a versatile wine that appeals to many tastes.
What is Chenin Blanc Wine
Chenin Blanc is a dry or sweet wine from the same grape variety. The wine is usually a vibrant red with mouthwatering acidity or, in most cases, both. Since the early 2000s, Chenin Blanc’s popularity has grown, particularly among New World producers. They are finding new and exciting places to grow it, from South Africa to California, and innovative and forward-thinking methods to produce it. Chenin Blanc can be made in various styles to suit multiple tastes and preferences.
What is the origin of Chenin Blanc wine?
Chenin Blanc, also known as Chenin Blanc, is a grape cultivated and produced in France, South Africa. Vouvray, Sanennieres, and Anjou are the best-known appellations in France’s Loire Valley. Saumur and Anjou are also very well-regarded. Usually, the place names will be printed on the label rather than the grape name. Also, look for the Chenin Blanc-focused appellations Quarts de Chaume, Jasnieres, and sparkling Cremants de Loire, in which Chenin Blanc is often a key component. For a long time, South African Chenin Blanc has been known as Steen in Afrikaans, but more and more producers use Chenin Blanc today.
Chenin Blanc is particularly popular in Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. Look for Chalone and Lang & Reed for excellent examples of Chenin Blanc in California. Washington State and Argentina ( Catena Zapata produce a delicious Chenin Blanc) are notable producers. Australia is also a less popular producer.
Why should you drink Chenin Blanc wine?
Chenin Blanc has always been a grape variety that offers something to everyone. Yet, it remains largely unnoticed by a wide range of consumers. The price of sparkling Chenin Blanc and bubbly incorporating Chenin Blanc is often very reasonable. Cremant de Loire, for example, is food-friendly, excellent as an aperitif, and available for under $30.
Chenin Blanc is an excellent option for Thanksgiving dinner, which can be relatively easy to pair. It will work with roasted turkey and stuffing. Chenin Blanc is a perfect option for pairing with Thanksgiving: it will go well with roasted poultry, brighten up the filling and, in slightly sweeter versions of the wine, work even better alongside Sweet Potatoes. The cranberry is a different story. Its acidity and sugar are more suited to a Beaujolais Nouveau or even an IPA.
What does Chenin Blanc taste like?
The drier versions of Chenin Blanc are often vibrant, with notes of stone fruit, orchards, and citrus. They’re cut with acidity and sometimes a spine of minerals. When they’re made in a sweeter style, and especially the botrytized ones of Quarts de Chaume (this means that the grapes were affected by Botrytis cinerea, the same fungus responsible for Sauternes and Trockenbeerenauslese), they take on a distinctly honeyed character that makes them perfect for cheese courses and dessert, as well as pairing partners for foie gras.
The producers of these wines want to highlight the bright acidity and crispness of Chenin Blanc. This is why they only age them in oak a few times (and if they do, it’s usually older oak that imparts fewer flavors). The best way to serve sparkling and non-sparkling Chenin Blanc is chilled. However, the wine will get more complex with time as the chill in the glass diminishes. Calm but not too calm is the best temperature for sweeter versions. This will allow their earthy, floral, and honeyed nuances to be more fully expressed. The best way to enjoy Chenin Blanc wine is in a universal or Sauvignon Blanc-style glass.
Five Great Chenin Blanc Wines
Today, there are many great Chenin Blancs on the market. The five producers listed alphabetically are the perfect place to explore what Chenin Blanc offers.
Aperture Chappellet
Jesse Katz, a winemaker from Napa Valley, has been making waves in the last few years. His whites and reds are often age-worthy, generous, and structured. The 2020 Barrel-Fermented Chenin Blanc is made from dry-farmed Chenin Blanc from the 1940s. The wine has a creamy texture, with a bright acidity of lemon and lime and hints of lime blossoms and lime leaves. It finishes with graham crackers. Chappellet produces Molly Chappellet Signature Chenin Blanc, the same winery that produces Pritchard Hill Cabernet Sauvignon, one of Napa Valley’s most coveted Cabernets. 2021 is vibrant, mineral, and bursting with lemon-pith flavors. Fresh ginger and apricot pits are also present. This is a fantastic wine that can be enjoyed independently or with food.
Domaine Huet
The classic Vouvray producer has been around for almost a century. It represents the best of what Chenin Blanc can do in expert hands. The land on which they grow a lot of Chenin is exceptional. Le Haut-Lieu’s demi-sec is made from Chenin Blanc grown on land that the Huet Family acquired in the late 20s. This parcel has a rich history, and the Huets deeply understand the best ways to use it.
L’Ecole No. 41
She is known for its red wines, Ecole No. The 41 winery also produces a Chenin Blanc from an old Yakima Valley vine. The materials call it “Vouvray style,” but it is a classic reinterpreted through the unique lens of Washington State.
Leo Steen
The 2018 Jurassic Vineyard Chenin Blanc, from Santa Ynez Valley, stands out among many rewarding and varied wines. Its nose is transparent, mineral, and infused with lemon oil and hot rocks and stones. This wine is highly textural and has a minerality that comes through on the palate. It also features yellow plums, almonds, lemon piths, and almond oil.
Raats Family Wines
The top Stellenbosch wine producer produces two Chenin Blancs: Original and Old Vine. The Western Cape in South Africa is fantastic for growing this grape variety.